Photographic apparatus



May 10, 1966 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 28, 1963 WI? 74W M 2 M I IN ENTORS ATTORNEYS May 10, 1966 N. GOLDETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 My. M

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS y 1966 N. GOLD ETAL 2 3,250,202

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E y kw w 2 vI w W 6 M I 8 ATTORNEYS y 1966 N. GOLD ETAL 3,250,202

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-$heet 4- w i x W myM ATTORNEYS May 10, 1966 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 LINE BYMMM A'TTORNEYS United StatesPatent D 3,250,202 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Nicholas Gold, Arlington,Mass., Charles R. Mossrnan,

Chester, N.H., and Arthur J. Sable, San Jose, Calif.,

assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 305,177 21Claims. (CI. 95-89) This invention relatesv to photographic apparatusfor exposing and processing a photosensitive image-recording sheet toproduce a succession of photographic prints.

An object of the invention is to provide photo-graphic apparatus whichutilizes the Land photographic process for automatically producing asuccession of finished positive photographic transfer prints andespecially designed for incorporation of a coin-operated machine formaking and vending photographs.

Another object of the invention is to provide photographic apparatus ofthe type described which utilizes rolls of a photosensitiveimage-recording sheet, a printreceiving sheet and connected, ruptur-ablecontainers of processing liquid, and includes means for superposingsuccessive exposed frames of the image-recording sheet with areas of theprint-receiving sheet, distributing the processing liquid from one ofsaid containers between each exposed frame and superposed area,separating each superposed frame and area at the end of a predeterminedprocessing period and delivering the individual finished photographicprints formed on the areas of the print-receiving sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedphotographic apparatus of the character described which automaticallymakes an exposure and then performs the requisite processing operationsto produce a high-quality finished photographic print rapidly anddependably.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, whichare exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary, perspective views, partially in section,of components of the apparatus shown in different operative positionsthereof;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the controls and driving mechanism of theapparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View, partially in section, ofconnected, fluid filled, rupturable containers of the type employed inthe invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a coil of the connected containers.

The so-called Land photographic process for which the invention isdesigned involves the photoexposure of a frame of a photosensitive sheetincluding as the photosensitive material thereof, -for example, a silverhalide emulsion; and there-after, superpositioning the exposed frame ofthe photosensitive sheet with an area of a second or print-receivingsheet and distributing a processing liquid between the superposed frameand area to effectuate, for example, a diffusion-transfer reversalprocess by which a positive transfer print is formed in an image-3,250,202 Patented May 10, 1966 receptive layer supported on theprint-receiving sheet. The superposed frame and area between which theproc essing liquid is distributed are maintained in superposition for aprocessing period of predetermined duration during which the transferprint is formed and at the end of which the frame and area areseparated.

The apparatus of the invention utilizes elongated strips of aphotosensitive sheet, a second or print-receiving sheet and a pluralityof connected, rupturable containers each holding sufficient processingliquid for producing a photographic print, and automatically utilizesthese materials and performs the necessary operations to make asuccession of exposures and produce a succession of individual, finishedphotographic prints. The photosensitive and print-receiving sheets arein the form of elongated strips of approximately equal width andsupplied in coiled form and the rupturable containers of processingliquid are connected to one another at their ends and also supplied in acoiled form. The apparatus exposes an area of the photosensitive stripand advances the exposed area into superposition with an area of theprint-receiving sheet between a pair of pressure-applying members fordistributing the processing liquid from one of the containers betweenthe superposed sheets. Prior to movement of an exposed area of theimagerecording sheet into superposition with an area of theprint-receiving sheet, a container of processing liquid is severed fromthe remainder of the containers and located between the sheets formovement with the sheets between the pressure-applying members. Theprocessing liquid distributed between the sheets functions to laminatethe sheets together to form a sandwich which is kept intact for apredetermined processing period during the formation of a transfer imagein a layer on the print-receiving sheet. At the end of this period andwithout moving either of the sheets between the pressureapplyingmembers, the exposed and processed area of the imagerecording sheet isseparated from the area'of the print-receiving sheet containing thetransfer print. The apparatus includes means for separating the area ofthe receiving sheet containing the print from the remainder of thereceiving sheet so that the print may be delivered from the apparatus.While the obvious and intended use of the apparatus is as a component ofan automatic vending machine of the type which vends photographic printswhen actuated by the introduction of a coin, the apparatus constitutes acomplete selfdeveloping camera and can .be employed as such toautomatically produce photographic prints.

The apparatus of the invention is illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of thedrawings as comprising a support member 10 on which are mountedsubstantially all of the components of the apparatus and a housing 12,shown in broken lines, for enclosing the components of the apparatuswhich manipulate and process the sheet materials to perform processeswhich are required to be carried out in the absence of light. Theapparatus includes a conventional lens assembly 14 also shown in brokenlines and may include a shutter, or the latter may comprise a componentof apparatus such as a vending machine, camera or an image-formingsystem of which the apparatus of the invention is a part. A photographicprint vending machine of the type for which the apparatus is designedwould also include lights, the operationiof which are-synchronized withthe operation of the picture-takin and processing mechanism.

A supply of photosensitive image-recording sheet 16 is provided coiledon a conventional supply spool 18 mounted for rotation on the upperportion of support member 10. The image-recording sheet may comprise asuitable support such as paper and a layer of a photosensitive materialsuch as a gelatino silver halide emulsion and is coiled with thephotosensitive layer innermost, that is, facing to the left viewingFIGURE 1. The apparatus includes means for locating successive areas ofthe photosensitive sheet in position for exposure to light from lens 14,and in the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, these means comprise a frame20 having a generally rectangular exposure aperture 22 therein and arear surface disposed substantially at the focal surface of lens 14where the image-recording sheet is retained in position for exposure bya spring-biased pressure plate 24. Frame 20 is mounted on a supportbracket 26 in turn mounted on support member including a pair of lateralmembers 28 connected by a transverse member 30 extending across andbehind aperture 22 and mounting pressure plate 24. A guide roll 32 ismounted on the upper portion of frame 20 for guiding photosensitivesheet 16 from spool 18 between frame 20 and pressure plate 24. With theapparatus in the position shown in FIGURE 1, that is, as

it would be employed as a part of a vending machine, the

image-recording sheet is disposed in a generally vertical plane at thefocal surface of lens 14, the axis of the latter being disposed in agenerally horizontal position.

A second or print-receiving sheet 34 is provided coiled on aconventional spool 36 mounted for rotation on a lower portion of supportmember 10 below frame 20. Print-receiving sheet 34 comprises a supportformed, for example, of paper for an image-receptive layer in which atransfer image comprising a photographic print is formed. Theprint-receiving sheet is fed upwardly from spool 36 into superpositionwith image-recording sheet 16 at the bite of a pair of juxtaposedpressure-applying rolls 38 and 40, a guide roll 41 being providedon'support bracket 26 for guiding sheet 34 between rolls 38 and 40. Roll38 includes stub shafts 42 at its ends journaled in bushings secured insupport bracket 26. Roll 40 is mounted with its axis substantially inthe plane of the axis of roll 38 for movement toward and away from roll38. The means for mounting roll 40 include a pair of mounting members 44slidably engaged in recesses 46 in lateral members 28. Roll 40 includesstub shafts 48 on its ends journaled in mounting members 44 and thelatter are biased by springs 50 downwardly toward roll 38 to urge roll40 into juxtaposition with roll 38. The rolls include generallycylindrical sheet engagement surfaces defining a convergent passage intowhich the sheets are advanced along convergent paths and through whichthe sheets are moved in superposition to distribute a processing liquidbetween the sheets.

The processing liquid for each exposed frame of the image-recordingsheet is supplied in a rupturable container 32 of the type shown in FIG.6. Each of containers 52 is formed by folding a rectangular blank of anoxygenand water-impervious sheet material upon itself and sealmg the endand lateral edges of the blank together to form a cavity 54 containingthe processing liquid. The longitudinal edge seal, designated 56, of thecontainer is weaker than the end seals and is adapted to be unsealed toprovide for unidirectional release of the processing liquid in responseto the generation of hydraulic pressure within the liquid resulting fromthe application of compressive pressure to the container. To process anexposed frame of the photosensitive sheet in conjunction with an area ofthe second sheet, the container is introduced between the sheets at thebite of the pressure-applying rolls with edge seal 56 facing away fromthe direction of movement of the sheets and located adjacent the leadingedges of the frame and area to be processed. The sheets and thecontainer are then advanced together between the pressure-applying rollswhich function to eject the fluid'contents of the container therefrombetween the sheets and distribute the liquid in the direction of thetrailing edges of the frame and area in contact therewith. Thecontainers employed in the apparatus of the invention are supplied in aconnected form as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The containers are arranged ingenerally parallel spaced relation and pairs of narrow tapes 58 areprovided for securing the containers to one another to form a structureresembling a ladder. The tapes of each pair are secured to the oppositesurfaces of an end section of each container and to one anotherintermediate the containers, and the two pairs of tapes are disposed insubstantially parallel relation. The aggregate thickness of the tapes ofeach pair is at least equal to and preferably exceeds the thickness ofthe fluid-filled cavity of each container. This construction allows theconnected containers to vbe coiled about a mandrel 60 as shown in FIG.without contacting or applying compressive pressure to one another whichmight otherwise cause rupture of the containers and leakage of the fluidcontents.

A plurality of connected containers 52 are provided coiled on aconventional spool 62 mounted for rotation on support member 10 adjacentspool 36 and below the level of the pressure-applying rolls. Theconnected containers are guided from spool 62 around a guide member 64and thence upwardly between a pair of channels 66 extending from belowplate 20 adjacent the pressureapplying rolls downwardly at an angletoward guide member 64. A guide block 68 having a convergent slot 70 isprovided mounted at its ends on support bracket 26 closely adjacentrolls 38 and 40 with slot 70 aligned with the convergent passage betweenthe rolls. Slot 70 is dimensioned to receive a container 52 and thepairs ofconnecting tapes 58 for positioning the container betweenconvergent portions of sheets 16 and 34 at the bite of rolls 38 and 40.

The connected containers are fed one at a time from spool 62 and guidedinto slot 70 by channels 66 until each container is disposed with itsleading edge located at the bite of rolls 38 and 40. The container thuspositioned within slot 70 at the bite of the rolls is then severed fromthe remaining containers and, for this purpose, a knife 72 is providedmounted on the upper portion of block 68 above slot 70. The knifeincludes slots (not shown) and is secured for limited up and downmovement to block 68 by screws 74 extending through the slots andengaged in block 68. Knife 72 includes a sharpened edge which actsagainst an anvil block 76 secured to the lower portion of block 68 belowslot 70. Springs 77 are provided between blocks 68 and 76 adjacent theends of knife 72 for urging the knife upward out of the path ofcontainers moving through slot 70. A container located within slot 70 issevered from the remaining containers by displacing knife 72 downwardlyto cut the pairs of connecting tapes 58 intermediate two containers.

When the apparatus is loaded and operative, sheet 16 extends downwardlybetween block 68 and roll 40 while sheet 34 extends upwardly betweenblock 68 and roll 38; and to facilitate loading and threading of thesheets through and into the apparatus between rolls 38 and 40, blocks 68and 76 are mounted adjacent their ends on support bracket 26 for pivotalmovement in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 1 through 4)away from rolls 38 and 40. The means shown for pivotally mounting blocks68 and 76 and knife 72 include a pair of arms 78 secured to the blocksand pivoted on the opposite sides of frame 20. The blocks are releasablyretained in the operative position shown by latch members 86 mounted onlateral members 28 of support bracket 26. Rolls 38 and 40 are providedwith grooves 84 adjacent their ends for allowing tapes 58 at the ends ofthe containers to pass between the rolls without causing separation ofthe rolls. Pairs of tapes 58 and grooves 84 are spaced from one anotherby a distance exceeding the width of the sheets so that neither thetapes nor the grooves interfere with the ejection and distribution ofthe fluid contents of the containers.

The apparatus includes means for drawing sheets 16 and 34 insuperposition between the pressure-applying members, feeding a containerinto the bite. of the rolls between the sheets prior to movement of thesheets between the pressure-applying rolls, maintaining the superposedsheets in superposition for a predetermined processing period and at theend ofthis period separating the processed sheets. These means, in theform shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, include a carriage 80 including twoelongated side members 82 disposed substantially parallel with oneanother and mounted for lengthwise reciprocatingmovement on guidesformed in support bracket 26 and in support members 88 formedintegrallyrwith support bracket 26. Side members 82 extend beyondopposite sides of plate 20 and lateral members 28 and are movablebetween the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and .3 and position shown inFIG. 4. As means for moving carriage 80 back and forth between the twopositions shown, there are provided a pair of racks 90, each mounted onone of side members 82 and a pair of spur gears 92 mounted on a shaft 94journaled in'a. pair of support members 96 mounted on side members 88.Shaft 94 extends transversely of the direction of movement of carriage80 and is coupled through a transmission (described hereinafter) todrive means for rotating the shaft in both directions for reciprocatingthe carriage.

Carriage 80 is movable between a position, termed the initial position,shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a termina position shown in FIG. 4; andincludes means for gripping the superpositioned sheets adjacent rolls 38and 40 in the initial position of the carriage and drawing the sheetsbetween the rolls during movement to the termineral position of thecarriage. .The means for gripping the sheets comprise a roll 98 mountedfor rotation on the ends of a pair of arms 100 pivotally mounted inter-'mediate their ends on side members 82. Roll 98 is disposed above thepath of movement of the sheets between rolls 38 and 40 and is movabledownwardly and upwardly into and from juxtapositioned with anothergripping member designated 102 and comprising a plate 104 mounted at itsends on side members 82 in juxtaposition with roll 98 having anelongated slot aligned with the roll. A pair of elongated shafts 106 aremounted at their ends on side members 82 below the slot in plate 104 andfunction to retain a sheet 108 of elastomeric material, such as rubber,stretched across the plate and slot therein between the plate and roll98. Sheet 108 has a high coefficient of friction and the construction ofgripping member 102 is such that when roll 98 is displaced downwardlytoward the gripping member in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,photosensitive and print-receiving sheets 16 and 34 are deformedtogether with sheet 108 into the slot in plate 104 securely gripping thesheets. 7

Means are provided on the carriage for urging roll 98 toward grippingmember 102 and in the form shown these means comprise a solenoid 110 ofa conventional type mounted on a bracket 111 mounted on side members 82adjacent the ends thereon furthest from rolls 98. The end sections ofarms 100 furthest from rolls 98 are bent inwardly and connected tothe'armature of the solenoid. Processing of an exposed frame of theimage-recording sheet and a superpositioned area of the print-receivingsheet is accomplished during movement of the carriage from its initialto its terminal position while the two sheets are gripped between roll98 and gripping member 102. During this movement, the frame and area ofthe sheets and a container 52 of processing liquid disposed betweenthesheets adjacent the leading edges of a frame and area are drawnbetween rolls 38 and 40 to distribute the processing liquid between andin contact with the frame and area. The sheets are laminated together bythe processing liquid to form a sandwich which is advanced to theposition shown in FIG. 4. The printreceiving sheet 34'is guided from thesandwich around a support roller 112 pivotally mounted adjacent its endson side member '88 adjacent gripping member 102 in the terminal positionof the carriage, and then to a take-up spool 114 pivotally mountedbeneath support roller 112. Spool 114 is driven through a slip clutch tomaintain tension on sheet 34 and support section of the sheetsubstantially in a plane between support roller 112 andpressure-applying rolls 38 and during subsequent operations on thesandwich and sheet 34.

Image-recording sheet 16 is guided around roll 98 back upon itself toguide means 116 comprising a shaft 118 mounted at its ends on supports120 secured 'to lateral members 28 adjacent pressure-applying roll 40. Apair of discs 122 are mounted on shaft 118 for engaging the lateralmargins of sheet 16 where there is little or no accumulation ofprocessing liquid. Sheet 16 extends upwardly from guide means 116 arounda guide roll 124 mounted above frame 20 on a support 126 and hence to atake-up spool 128.

The processing liquid is distributed between a superpositioned frame andarea of the two sheets to initiate the processing which is terminated atthe end of a predetermined period by separation of the superposed frameand area. The processing liquid may be distributed in a thin layerbetween the sheets extending to the lateral borders of the picture areaand this layer of liquid may be caused to adhere to either of the sheetswhen the sheets are separated. In the embodiment shown, the layer ofliquid, which may be quite viscous, is adhered to the processedimage-recording sheet; hence, the construction of guide means 116prevents the apparatus from becoming fouled with the liquid. In order toseparate a processed frame and area at the end of a predeterminedprocessing period, the carriage is moved from its terminal to itsinitial position while tension is maintained on printreceiving sheet 34to hold it in a stationary position and take-up spool 128 is rotated tocause image-recording sheet 16 to be peeled from sheet 34 around roll 98as the roll moves toward pressure-applying roll 40 and guide means 116.During the stripping operation the printreceiving sheet remainsstationary, the image-recording sheet remains stationary with respect tothe pressureapplying roll and sections of sheet 16 are stripped fromsheet 34 and coiled on spool 128. During stripping of sheet 16, sheet 34tends to be withdrawn from take-up spool 114 which, for this reason, iscoupled with the power drive through a one-way clutch preventingrotation of spool 114, while the friction of the various rolls andsupply spools contributes to preventing advancement of additionallengths of the sheets between the pressureapplying rolls.

The processing liquid provided in each container for the treatment of asuperposed frame and area may be in excess of that required and for thisor other reasons, some processing liquid may remain between the sheetsat the bite of the rolls at the trailing edges of the frame and area,and means are providedfor collecting and retaining this quantity ofprocessing liquid so that it is not distributed between the sheets intocontact with the next succeeding frame and area. The processing liquidis collected and retained between portions of the sheets intermediatesuccessive frames and areas by spacing roll 40 apart from roll 38 duringthe terminal portion of movement of the sheets between the rolls. Themeans for performing this function comprise a pair of levers 130pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on side members 88 and eachengaged at one end with a stub shaft 48 on an end of roll 40. Theopposite end section of each of levers 130 includes a raised cam section132 disposed in the path of movement of a cam 134 pivotally mounted onside member 82. Cams 134 are restrained against pivotal movement in aclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 2 and 3) by stop pins 136 so that thecams engage cam sections 132 pivoting levers 130 (as shown by brokenlines in FIG. 2), during the terminal portion of movement of thecarriage from its initial to its terminal without pivoting levers 130during the initial portion of return movement of the carriage from itsterminal to its initial position. Thus, during return movement of thecarriage and separation of the sheets, the pressure-applying rollsremain in engagement with the sheets and help to prevent movement of thesheets with respect to the pressure-applying rolls.- Cams 134 may bebiased in a clockwise direction against stop pins 136 by relatively weaksprings 138 in order to insure proper operation of the device.

As previously noted, a container of processing liquid is located withinslot 70 in guide block 68 at the bite of the pressure-applying rolls atthe start of a processing cycle. This container of processing liquid ismoved into this position during the terminal portion of movement of thecarriage to its terminal position during the previous processing cycleby a pair of fingers 140 pivotally mounted on a transverse member 142mounted on side members 82 adjacent the ends thereof. The fingers hangdownwardly into position to engage a container 52 supported betweenchannel 66 and move the container into slot 70 in guide block 68 duringthe terminal position. During the return movement of the carriage,fingers 140 are readily pivoted so as not to move the connectedcontainres which movement is prevented by a retaining member 144supported between the ends of channels 66 and including an upstandingportion which engages the container to prevent return movement thereof.

The container disposed within slot 70 is severed from the remainingcontainers by knife 72 during the terminal portion of movement of thecarriage from its terminal to its initial position. The means foractuating the knife, i.e., forcing it downward, comprises a pair of cams146 mounted on the lower sides of side members 82 for engaging the upperportion of the knife and forcing it downwardly as the cams are movedover the knife. The container engaged in slot 70 is positioned, when theconnecting members are severed, that the major portion of the connectingmembers remain on the next succeeding container and are engaged betweenthe pressure-applying rolls so as to advance the container between therolls and sheets. Cams 146 are fixed so that they also actuate the knifeduring the initial portionof movement of the carriage from its initialto its terminal position; however, the knife when actuated at this timeis not effective to do anything inasmuch as the container previouslysevered is, at this point, starting to move between the rolls and thenext succeeding container has not yet been engaged by fingers 140 andmoved thereby into slot 70 in guide block 68.

The actual picture area, that is, the area of the print formed inprint-receiving sheet 34 may correspond to aperture 22 in frame and inany event has a width less than the width of sheet 34. Followingseparation of a processed frame of sheet 16 from an area of sheet 34containing a transfer print, the area containing the transfer print ispunched from sheet 34 so that it may 'be delivered from the apparatus.Means are provided for performing this operation and in the form showncomprises a punch 148 and die 150 disposed, respectively, above andbelow the path of movement of the portion of the sandwich andparticularly sheet 34 supported between rolls 38 and and roll 112. Thepunch and die are spaced apart sufficiently to permit movement of roll98 and gripping member 102 between them and means are provided formoving the punch and die toward one another to punch out a section ofsheet 34 containing a print which is then allowed to 'fall under theforce of gravity through die 150 into suitable means such as de liverychute (not shown) for delivering the print from the apparatus. It iscontemplated that the apparatus of the invention will be embodied inapparatus including a print delivering system which may also includemeans for performing additional processing operations such as washing,coating and/ or laminating on the print before it is delivered from theapparatus; however, because such 8 additional mechanism does notcomprise the present invention it is not shown herein.

When a section of sheet 34 containing a print is punched out, marginalsections of the sheet are allowed to remain to provide means foradvancing succeeding sections of sheet 34 through the apparatus. Eachcollapsed container of processing liquid is carried by sheet 34 at leastto support roller 112 where the container may drop off into a hopper(not shown) provided for this purpose or the container may be adhered tosheet 34 by the processing liquid and be coiled together with the sheeton spool 14.

The drive and control system of the apparatus is shown schematically inFIG. 5 of the drawing and comprises two motors, a cam timer motor 152designed to make a single revolution at a time and a reversible drivemotor 154. An exposure and processing cycle is initiated by themomentary closing of a normally open starting switch 156' coupled inseries across the power source, e.g., 110 volt A.C., with a relay 158energizing the relay which closes a normally open switch 160 coupled'inseries with cam timer motor 152 thereby starting the cam timer motor.The cam timer motor includes, in its controls, a switch bypassing switch160 to maintain motor 152 operative for a single revolution. Motor 152drives three cams which control the operation of three normally openswitches 162, 164, and 166. Switch 162 controls the operation of ashutter and/or lights designated 168 for making an exposure immediatelyafter commencement of the operation of the cam timer motor. Drive motor7 154 is connected to the power source through switch 164,

the normally closed contacts of a double pole, single throw switch 170and the normally closed contacts of a double pole, double throw,solenoid operated switch 172. Switch 164 is closed only momentarily,that is, long enough for the carriage to move sufficiently to allow forthe closing of switch 171 mounted on support member 10 and held open byengagement with one of side member 82 of carriage at the initialposition of the carriage. When switch 171 closes, switch 164 is bypassedto maintain motor 164 in operation until the carriage is in its terminalposition. The closing of switches 164 and 171 is also effective toenergize solenoid through normally closed contacts in switch 172,thereby clamping the sandwich during movement of the carriage. Take-upspools 114 and 128 are driven by motor 154 through a transmissionincluding one-way clutches so that during movement of the carriage fromits initial to its terminal position, spool 114 rotates to maintaintension on sheet 34 as it is advanced and spool 128 remains stationary.

Switch is mounted on support member 10 adjacent switch 171 and includescontacts which are held closed and contacts which are held opened byengagement with side member 82 of the carriage except when the carriageis in its terminal position whereupon the closed contacts open and theopen contacts close stopping motor 154 when the carriage is in itsterminal position. The cir cuit includes a latching relay 174 connectedin series with the normally opened contact of switch 170 and adapted tobe energized when motor 154 has stopped, closing a normally open switch176 connected in parallel with the normally open contacts of switch 170and closing another normally open switch 178 connected in series with arelay 180 connected across the power source in series with cam-operatedswitch 166. Switch 172 is operated by relay 180, and is coupled withmotor 154 in such a way as to initiate the rotation of motor 154 in theopposite direction and deenergize solenoid 110. The length of theprocessing period during which the sheets are allowed to remain insuperposition before the carriage is returned from its terminal to itsinitial position is controlled by switch 166 oper-ated by a cam drivenby cam timer motor 152. Switch 166 is closed after a delay ofpredetermined duration energizing relay 180. During the return movementof the carriage, spool 114 remains stationary so as to hold the sectionof the print-receiving sheet containing a transfer print and supportedbetween rolls 38 and 40'and roll 112 stationary during stripping of theimage-recording sheet from the print-receiving sheet and spool 128 isrotated to coil the image-recording sheet thereon and facilitate thestripping of the imagerecording sheet from the print-receiving sheet.

Punch 148 and die 150 provided for punching the print from theprint-receiving sheet may be driven (not shown) by a third motordesigned to ope-rate through one cycle in a manner similar to the camtimer motor when the cycle is initiated. The operating cycle of thepunch and die motor may be initiated by a switch (not shown) operated bya cam driven by cam timer motor 152, the operation of the punch and diemotor being initiated approximately contemporaneously with thetermination of movement of the carriage into its initial position at theend of a processing cycle.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic apparatus for processing successive exposed areas of alight-sensitive image-recording sheet to produce a succession ofphotographic prints comprising, in combination: I

a pair of juxtaposed members for superposing a second sheet with saidimage-recording sheet and distributing a processing liquid between saidsheets in response to movement of said sheets in superposition relativeto and between said members;

means including a guide member spaced from said juxtaposed members forsupporting and moving in a predetermined direction a section of saidsecond sheet extending in superposition with said imagerecording sheetbetween, said juxtaposed members; a pair of gripping members mounted injuxtaposition on opposite sides of said section of said second sheet formovement toward and away from one another to grip and release saidsuperposed sheets;

support means mounting said gripping members for movement togetherbetween a first position adjacent said juxtaposed members and a secondposition adjacent said guide member;

means for urging said grippin g members into engagement with said sheetsduring movement of said gripping members from said first to said secondposition to move said sheets between said juxtaposed members, andspacing said gripping members apart to release said sheets duringmovement of said gripping members from said second to said firstposition;

and means for advancing said image-recording sheet around one of saidgripping members in a direction divergent from said direction ofmovement of said section of said second sheet during movement of saidgripping members from said second to said first position to separatesaid image-recording sheet from section of said second sheet.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the position of saidguide member is substantially fixed with respect to said juxtaposedmembers.

3. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said means forsuperposing and moving said second sheet include means for holding saidsection of said second sheet substantially stationary with respect tosaid juxtaposed members and said guide member during movement of saidgripping members from said second to said first position.

4. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the distance betweensaid first and second positions of 10 said gripping members exceeds thelength of one of said prints.

5. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said one grippingmember is mounted for rotation in response to movement of saidimage-recording sheet in said divergent direction in engagement withsaid one gripping member and said other gripping member is fixed againstrotation.

6. The photographic apparatus of claim 5 in which said one grippingmember is a roll and said other gripping member includes a surface forcontacting said second sheet having a relatively high coetficient offriction.

7. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which the last-mentionedmeans include a second guide member located adjacent saidpressure-applying members for guiding said image-recording sheet aroundsaid one gripping member and thence toward said pressure-applyingmember, and take-up means for drawing said imagerecording sheet aroundsaid one gripping member and said second guide member.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 comprising a pair ofdies disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of said grippingmembers between said first and secondpositions, said dies being movabletoward one another into engagement with said section of said secondsheet for cutting therefrom a portion of said second sheet containing aprint, and means for moving said dies toward one another followingseparation of said image-recording sheet from said portion of saidsecond sheet during movement of said gripping members from said secondto said first positions. v

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means formoving a succession of connected rupturable containers of processingliquid to a position between said sheets adjacent said pressure-applyingmembers, means for engaging the container closest said pressure-applyingmembers for moving said container in the direction of movement of saidsheets into engagement with said sheets between said pressure-applyingmembers, and means for severing the connection between said containerand the remainder of said succession of containers.

10. The photographic apparatus of claim 9 in which said support meansare movable between first and second positions to move said grippingmembers between, respectively, said first and said second positionsthereof and said means for engaging said container for moving saidcontainer are mounted on said support means for engaging and moving saidcontainer during the terminal portion of movement of said support meansfrom said first to said second position.

11. The photographic apparatus of claim 9 in which said support meansare movable between first and second positions for moving said grippingmembers between, respectively, said first and said second positionsthereof, and said means for severing the connections between saidcontainers comprise a cutting member and means mounted on said supportmeans for actuating said cutting member during the terminal portion ofmovement of said support member from said second to said first position.

12. Photographic apparatus for processing successive exposed areas of alight-sensitive image-recording sheet to produce a succession ofphotographic prints comprising, in combination:

a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members providing a convergentpassage through which said image-recording sheet and a second sheet aremovable in superposition;

means on one side of said pressure-applying members for guiding saidimage-recording sheet and said second sheet along convergent paths intosuperposition within said convergent passage;

a pair of juxtaposed gripping members;

mounting means on the opposite side of said pressureapplying memberssupporting said gripping members on the opposite side of said sheetsextending through said passage; said mounting means being movable backand forth in the direction of movement of said sheets in superpositionbetween said pressure-applying members; means mounted on said mountingmeans for urging said gripping members toward one another to grip saidsuperposed sheets during movement of said mounting means away from saidpressure-applying members and spacing said gripping members apart fromone another during movement of said mounting means toward saidpressure-applying members; means for moving a succession of connectedrupturable containers of processing liquid to a position adjacent saidsheets at one side of said pressure-applying members; means mounted onsaid mounting means for engaging said container closest saidpressure-applying members and moving said container into said passagebetween said sheets during movement of said mounting means away fromsaid pressure-applying mem bers; cutting means located to said one sideof said pressureapplying members for severing the connection betweensaid container and the remainder of said succession of containers; andmeans comprising a part of said mounting means for coacting with saidcutting means to actuate said cutting means to sever said connectionduring movement of said mounting means toward said pressureapplyingmembers.

13. The photographic apparatus of claim 12 in which said mounting meanscomprise a carriage including sections extending beyond opposite sidesof said pressureapplying members, said gripping members are mounted onthe section of said carriage located to said other side of saidpressure-applying members and said carriage is movable between a firstposition in which said gripping members are located adjacent saidpressure-applying members, and a second position at which said grippingmembers are spaced from said pressure-applying members.

14. The photographic apparatus of claim 13 in which means are providedmounted on said carriage for spacing said pressure-applying membersapart from one another during the terminal portion of movement of saidcarriage from said first to said second position.

15. The photographic apparatus of claim 13 compris ing means including aguide member spaced from said pressure-applying members and located tothe side of said guide members opposite said pressure-applying memberswhen said carriage is in said second position for supporting and movinga section of said second sheet between said gripping members, and meansfor advancing said image-recording sheet around one of said grippingmembers in a direction divergent from the direction of movement of saidsection of said second sheet during movement of said gripping membersand said carriage from said second to said first position to separatesaid imagerecording sheet from saidsection of said second sheet.

15. The photographic apparatus of claim 15 in which the last-mentionedmeans include a second guide member located adjacent saidpressure-applying members for guiding said image-recording sheet aroundsaid one gripping member and thence toward said pressure-applyingmembers, and take-up means for drawing said image-recording sheet aroundsaid one gripping member and said second guide member.

17. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 comprising a pair ofdies disposed on opposite sides of the path of movement of said grippingmembers between said first and second positions, said dies being movabletoward one another into engagement with said section of said secondsheet for cutting therefrom a portion of said second sheet containing aprint, and means for moving said dies toward one another followingseparation of said image-recording sheet from said portion of saidsecond sheet during movement of-said gripping members from said secondto said first position.

18. In photographic apparatus including a pair of juxtaposed members forsuperposing a pair of sheets and distributing a processing liquidbetween said sheets during movement of said sheets between said members,a pair of gripping members for gripping said superposed sheets, mountingmeans for said gripping members, a first guide member for supporting asection of one of said superposed sheets, a second guide member forguiding the other of said sheets around one of said gripping members ina direction divergent from the direction of movement of saidsection ofsaid one sheet, first takeup means for said one sheet and second take-upmeans for said other sheet for moving said other sheet in said divergentdirection, drive and control means comprising, in combination:

a reversible motor coupled with said mounting means for moving saidgripping members from an initial position in one direction away fromsaid juxtaposed members to a second position for drawing said superposedsheets in the direction of movement of said section of said first sheetbetween said juxtaposed members and in the opposite direction towardsaid superposed members;

said reversible motor being coupled through a one way clutch to saidfirst take-up means for driving the latter during movement of saidgripping members in said one direction and through a one way clutch tosaid second take-up means for driving said second take-up means duringmovement of said gripping membersin said opposite direction;

means for urging said gripping members toward on another during movementthereof in said opposite direction; and

control means for initiating the operation of said motor to move saidgripping members in said one direction to draw predetermined lengths ofsaid sheets in superposition between said .juxtaposed members and then,reversing the direction of operation of said juxtaposed members andthen, reversing thedirection of operation of said motor to return saidgripping members in said other direction and discontinuing the operationof said motor when said gripping members are in said'initial position.

19. The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said control meansinclude a timing device for providing a dwell period of predeterminedduration when said gripping members are in said second position betweenoperation of said motor in opposite directions.

20. The photographic apparatus of claim 18in which said control meansinclude a first switch for discontinuing the operation of said motorduring movement of said gripping members in said first direction and asecond switch for discontinuing the operation of said motor upon returnof said gripping members to said initial position, and said mountingmeans include means for operat ing said switches.

21. The photographic apparatus of claim 18 in which said means forurging said gripping members toward one another into gripping engagementwith said sheets comprise a solenoid supported on said mounting means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,653,527 9/1953Land -13 2,778,269 1/1957 Bartlett 9513 X 2,915,393 12/1959 Fairbank95-89 X 3,140,646 7/1964 Mason et al. 95-75 3,174,419 3/1965 Sable 95-75NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SUCCESSIVE EXPOSED AREAS OF ALIGHT-SENSITIVE IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET TO PRODUCE A SUCCESSION OFPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PAIR OF JUXTAPOSEDMEMBERS FOR SUPERPOSING A SEOND SHEET WITH SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEETAND DISTRIBUTING A PROCESSING LIQUID BETWEEN SAID SHEETS IN RESPONSE TOMOVEMENT OF SAID SHEETS IN SUPERPOSITION RELATIVE TO AND BETWEEN SAIDMEMBERS; MEANS INCLUDING A GUIDE MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID JUXTAPOSEDMEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING AND MOVING IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION A SECTIONOF SAID SECOND SHEET EXTENDING IN SUPERPOSITION WITH SAID IMAGERECORDINGSHEET BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS; A PAIR OF GRIPPING MEMBERSMOUNTED IN JUXTAPOSITION ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SECTION OF SAIDSECOND SHEET FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER TO GRIP ANDRELEASE SAID SUPERPOSED SHEETS; SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTING SAID GRIPPINGMEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT TOGETHER BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION ADJACENT SAIDJUXTAPOSED MEMBERS AND A SECOND POSITION ADJACENT SAID GUIDE MEMBER;MEANS FOR URGING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SHEETSDURING MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECONDPOSITION TO MOVE SAID SHEETS BETWEEN SAID JUXTAPOSED MEMBERS, ANDSPACING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS APART TO RELEASE SAID SHEETS DURINGMOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID SECOND TO SAID FIRSTPOSITION; AND MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AROUND ONEOF SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION DIVERGENT FROM SAID DIRECTION OFMOVEMENT OF SAID SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET DURING MOVEMENT OF SAIDGRIPPING MEMBERS FROM SAID SECOND TO SAID FIRST POSITION TO SEPARATESAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET FROM SECTION OF SAID SECOND SHEET.